Oxford (A) match thread Sep 2nd

[JRC]

If you play wingbacks you are always going to concede more crosses. You have one man wide compared to 2 with other systems. Who plays makes a difference but its always going to be a case that they will let more crosses over than 442. The upside is with 3 centrehalves in the box they are less likely to score from each cross. Ultimately whatever system you go for there will be some crosses coming in and some goals from crosses because you only have 11 players. Post Barnsley we have done OK defensively.  It's similar to man to man vs zonal marking at corners. Neither system is foolproof.  However we haven't conceded a corner for quite a few games. You can be sure next time we do zonal marking will be given as the reason by some, reigniting the debate.

Not sure we were comprehensively outplayed by Oxford. They are set up as a possession team and they were good a possession.  They lacked cutting edge because they played 4 at the back 2 holding players in midfield, 2 wide players a 10 and one centreforward.  Result was overloads wide, lots of possession deep and nobody in their box. It looked nice but Ripley only had a couple of regulation saves to make. Once Wilson went off and we pressed harder higher their passing game somewhat fell apart. Harris's sending off was probably bourne of frustration at playing on his own against 3 centrehalves who weren't giving him an inch. Second half particularly they completely failed to answer the questions our system posed.

[Brian Johnson]

Still can believe the amazing turnaround and all the results that we have been getting but I'm going to be a little bit controversial, I personally do not think we have really been making the opposition keeper work. We are winning and obviously take it all day long but just a little bit worried about not making the keeper do more through out the game and it catching up on us.

[JRC]

24 minutes ago, Brian Johnson said:

Still can believe the amazing turnaround and all the results that we have been getting but I'm going to be a little bit controversial, I personally do not think we have really been making the opposition keeper work. We are winning and obviously take it all day long but just a little bit worried about not making the keeper do more through out the game and it catching up on us.

I'd agree we aren't creating a lot of chances but who is in this league? Leading scorers are Barnsley and half their goals were against us. Only 3 teams have more than 10 in 6 games. Teams are very well organised but the advent of iFollow also means they can also analyse teams and players to death. We'd even got a plan for Ripley about which way to dive for each Crewe penalty taker in The League Cup. In the good old days someone watched a team the week before and gave the manager half a piece of paper with a few scribbled notes.

[Fosse69]

18 minutes ago, JRC said:

I'd agree we aren't creating a lot of chances but who is in this league? Leading scorers are Barnsley and half their goals were against us. Only 3 teams have more than 10 in 6 games. Teams are very well organised but the advent of iFollow also means they can also analyse teams and players to death. We'd even got a plan for Ripley about which way to dive for each Crewe penalty taker in The League Cup. In the good old days someone watched a team the week before and gave the manager half a piece of paper with a few scribbled notes.

Problem for Devine too, which way to shoot against Beadle an England mate on loan from Brighton well aware of his preferences.

[Granville]

6 hours ago, darren1810 said:

99% certain it's him. I only mentioned last week I hadn't seen him. 

4th reincarnation?  

More bloody regenerations than Doctor Who!

[Granville]

6 hours ago, Devine intervention said:

Let's enjoy the good times while they last as on Saturdays first half display it could soon turn to struggling weekly it was no where near good enough if anyone thinks differently then that's your right but I thought after initial first few minutes Oxford controlled the game superbly .

The sendings off helped us but at no point in that game were we better than Oxford who in fairness look a good side just lack a bit of fight when teams attack them .

We take the win but if I could give marks here they are .

Ripley 8 one save in first half with his foot to deflect it around was absolutely superb .

No chance with goal but other than that a really good display from the main man .

Cass 6 looked a bit all at sea but stuck at it .

Smith 7 same as Cass really there was times when we really struggled to pick players up .

His part in sending off of Harris big turning point in game though but up until then struggled like majority  of the  team did  in fairness 

Icavetti 8 scored a great header was solid as a rock .

My man of the match is header was just fantastic has deserved a goal in every game .

Clark 7 first half so far back and not at all good but second half much better .

Plant 6 really dug in but playing in a position where there's lots of responsibility .

At times all the young players struggled in this game as Oxford has some real quality which will serve them right as campaign continues 

Ojo 5 not one of his better games spent most of it chasing the ball as Oxford defo had tge better of him 

 

Arblaster 5 great player but really struggled v Oxford not on the ball like Ojo we didn't have the ball it was a frustrating watch especially first half where we were poor to put it bluntly.

Cheslett 6 never stopped working but not one of his better games mind you can say that for a lot of them. 

We rarely had the ball so we couldn't flourish. 

Massey 4 nothing much going on there .

Wilson 4 started game on fire got a kick and spent the next 40 plus minutes not touching the ball at all .

Very poor .

Subs 

Devine 8 two bits of quality won us the game the ball in tremendous and the pen so good. 

Thomas 7 yes he gives the ball away but he gives you pace and stretches the opposition .

Garrity 7 better when he come on Crosby at half time noticed that some players didn't fancy it and duly removed them from the team .

UTV 

 

 

 

But only Vale Fan in Alsager gave marks, then Vale 1971, now you? You're not... him are you? 😱

[Brian Johnson]

1 hour ago, JRC said:

I'd agree we aren't creating a lot of chances but who is in this league? 

To be fair, I'm not really bothered about other teams but if its the case that teams are well more organised, it does not make for an exciting league

[JRC]

7 minutes ago, Brian Johnson said:

To be fair, I'm not really bothered about other teams but if its the case that teams are well more organised, it does not make for an exciting league

No it doesn't. Perhaps makes for a tight league with few goals.

[Brian Johnson]

42 minutes ago, JRC said:

No it doesn't. Perhaps makes for a tight league with few goals.

Yes it does.

 

[The man in the pub]

On 03/09/2023 at 12:06, Wrex said:

It's a lot better since John Acres left

Its alot better when Sjoke keep losing. Nothing like listening to P&G when Vale have won and the Stade de Incinerator team have lost.  Wish the show was on for twice as long.

[philmpv]

Its alot better when Sjoke keep losing. Nothing like listening to P&G when Vale have won and the Stade de Incinerator team have lost.  Wish the show was on for twice as long.

Not listened to P&G at all this season but out of interest:

1. Has Bryn been on blarting yet?

2. Has Carl been on since the Barnsley game (I'm presuming there that he would definitely have been on after the Barnsley match!)?

[andy jones]

4 hours ago, Brian Johnson said:

Still can believe the amazing turnaround and all the results that we have been getting but I'm going to be a little bit controversial, I personally do not think we have really been making the opposition keeper work. We are winning and obviously take it all day long but just a little bit worried about not making the keeper do more through out the game and it catching up on us.

Agree, but let's see what Loft brings us.

Hopefully someone who can hold the ball up around their box.

Then we play little wall passes off him. 

At the moment we are good enough to compete and win more than we lose, and that will do me fine for this season.

 

 

 

[Guest]

Let's be honest all last weeks games were won with excellently taken penalties (bar sangs)to gain us 6 points and a 3rd round cup tie v Sutton.

So to me we need something different up front .

Loft is that different .

I'd like see Icavetti played as a emergency striker aswell if 3 up top do not deliver especially when DJones is back as a experiment  

1234 

I'd be surprised if he doesn't notch over 6/7 goals this season some of his finishing is striker esque. 

UTV 

 

[sheffield61]

9 hours ago, The man in the pub said:

Its alot better when Sjoke keep losing. Nothing like listening to P&G when Vale have won and the Stade de Incinerator team have lost.  Wish the show was on for twice as long.

The 1772 League cup winner's still have delusions of grandeure I fear ......

 

I enjoy it as much when they loose as I do when the Vale win I don't mind admitting......🤔😁

[philmpv]

I'd like see Icavetti played as a emergency striker aswell if 3 up top do not deliver especially when DJones is back as a experiment  
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UTV 
 

Defo VFIA!